The Power of Supported Internships
February 27, 2026
Supported internships help young people aged 16-24 with learning disabilities or special educational needs get ready for paid work. They give young people the chance to spend time in a real workplace, learning by doing everyday tasks. They also get help from a job coach, who supports them while they learn, and eventually steps back as they become more confident.
The aim of a supported internship is simple:
To help a young person build skills, gain experience, and be ready for a paid job in the future. It can also help them grow in confidence, meet new people, and learn what kind of work suits them best.
Insight from an Intern
Rebecca Davies got a work placement with the Department for Education. She joined the Project Pilot Supported Internship after her WE Work Navigator, Scott, encouraged her. He recalls their first meeting: “From the very first time I met Rebecca, it was clear that she was an ambitious and determined individual. She balanced this drive with a realistic understanding of what she needed to progress.”
As she had limited experience within an office environment, the internship helped her gain practical skills to build her career. Some of Rebecca’s tasks included setting up meetings and taking minutes, creating documents and helping with spot checks. Rebecca says:
I have just gained confidence in so many ways and I push myself out there a lot more than I did before I started this placement.
Rebecca wants to make workplaces more inclusive and fair. When she was younger this support was not easily available.
“People who were a bit like me when I was younger maybe felt misrepresented or just not understood. I just want to make the world a better place for them – a better society.”
Her WE Work navigator recalls, “Rebecca’s journey reflects her commitment, resilience, and willingness to grow. It has been a pleasure to see her progress and make the most of every opportunity.”
Watch the video here: Supported Internships for Young People
